I have 800 dollars to spend on a laptop. I don't know what to get. I'm considering something from here: http://configure.us.dell.com/dellstore/config.aspx?oc=dndopm1&c=us&l=en&s=dhs&cs=19&kc=features~laptops_great_deals
but I don't know what I should and should not put on it. I don't play games on my PC, so things like the graphic card aren't a big priority. What I do want is speed. But how do I get speed? Do I spend extra money on a processor or on RAM? And then there are more things to consider, like what is the difference between Vista Home Basic and Vista Home Premium? Is it worth the extra $30 to get Premium? HELP ME PLEASE I'M SO OVERWHELMED

Speed = Processor and RAM
Quality = Processor, good graphic card and RAM
Get like 4GB RAM a Intel Duo and a nVidia 6800, that shouldn't be very expensive and you could play some games on it aswell

If your only upgrading 1 or 2 things, RAM and other new cards are easier to add later than a whole new processor. So buy the processor upgrade unless the base one is fine, in which case more RAM for speed. Also, the size of screen you have effects the speed of certain things, like full screen games, buffering full screen movies and some apps will run slower if they are taking up all of a huge screen.

I'd see if you could find:

dual core minimum of 2,0 Ghz (eg. intel core 2 duo E8400 - 3,0 GHz)
2 gigs RAM minimum (try for 3 or 4 GB)
like canvas said, a 6800 is good, or a 7050. Nothing too much.

Also make sure the PSU will be enough to power and cool all that hardware. If it isn't, the only thing you can do is get a laptop cooler stand, because laptops have integrated hardware and cannot be upgraded. (at least I dont THINK you can upgrade laptops PSUs. I know for a fact you can't upgrade the processor or GPU)

The computer already comes with 3 gigs of RAM, so I think I will upgrade the processor.

Any recommendations on what version of Vista I should get?

EDIT: Do I need a good Wireless Network Card?

Home Premium .

I'm pretty sure you can't upgrade the CPUs on laptops as everything in laptops in integrated. You either need to get the laptop with everything you want at factory settings or get a PC. And it really doesn't matter which vista version you get. Personally I'd get home premium like iJeax said, but it really doesn't matter. I have vista ultimate, and I've put the theme back to windows classic and turned off user account control. The effects slow my laptop down, and user account control is a bugger.

I cant say Vista is the best OS ever created, but if i had to pick, go for home premium.

Quote from Canvas

Speed = Processor and RAM
Quality = Processor, good graphic card and RAM
Get like 4GB RAM a Intel Duo and a nVidia 6800, that shouldn't be very expensive and you could play some games on it aswell

FFS, this of course.

that will be quite expensive though if you're looking for all that in a laptop. Sure a PC, you could install the RAM and GPU easily, but if you want it in a laptop you're going to need to buy one with that in from the start, and that will cost a bit. Like I said, 2-4GB RAM is OK, a dual core CPU with 2,0GHz or more is OK, and generally an nVidia 6000 series card or above. If you really don't care about the GPU, then some intel chipset will do. (intel GMA x1300 or something of the likes. My laptop has GMA 950 and runs fine).